Our School

<Small Smiling Sun> We are a center based child care facility, meaning our curriculum is set up to revolve around the different learning centers in each classroom. We believe children learn by doing. It may look like the children are idly playing when actually they are learning multiple things from our carefully planned classroom settings. Below you will find see some of the more specific things learned from each center.

Basic Goals of Marblehead Children's Center Classrooms

Toddler

To develop a sense of trust with adults other than their own parents.
To develop basic self help skills and language skills allowing the child to benefit from the time in a group setting.
To learn appropriate ways to socialize with peers.

Transitional Preschool

All of the above goals plus:

To understand a social role of the teacher in the classroom.
To follow rules and routines that are established for the good of the group.
To develop "potty" skills.
To continue to build vocabulary and self- help skills.
To begin to develop problem solving techniques.

Preschool I

All of the above goals plus:

To develop the ability to understand and use symbols in their activities and play.
To encourage the development of role playing and dramatic play.
To develop self control and learn to handle conflicts in socially acceptable ways.
To develop an appropriate grasp of a writing tool.
To begin to associate numerals and words with quantities.

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Preschool II

All of the above goals plus:

To promote the development of concepts of print and acquisition of emerging reading skills.
To develop negotiating skills and a sense of friendship.

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Transitional Kindergarten

All of the above goals plus:

Build letter recognition skills and letter sound awareness.
Use emerging reading skills to make meaning from print.
To teach children to retell stories using illustrations.
To develop an ability to work cooperatively in a small group, share, discuss ideas with others.
To foster deep friendships, promoting a sense of belonging and camaraderie.
To develop a sense of responsibility.

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What Your Child Learns in each Center

Skills Acquired in the Art Center

Art is viewed as a creative expression and exploration of materials; teachers do not expect representational product.

Ability to develop hand-eye coordination
Ability to develop perception
Ability to develop imagination and creativity
Ability to develop fine motor skills
Ability to identify and differentiate colors, texture, shape, size
Ability to recognize and see patterns, similarities and differences
Ability to create images
Ability to use and invent visual symbols,
Ability to represent reality and emotions in visual symbols and images.
Ability to develop correct pencil grasp

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Skills Acquired in the Manipulative/Math Center

Ability to understand discrimination
Ability to understand comparison

Ability to sort/classify
Ability to understand generalization
Ability to develop fine motor
Ability to develop perception of shape, size, weight, quantity
Ability to understand such concepts as shape, size, amount, the biggest, the smallest, bigger, smaller, more, less
Ability to represent reality and emotions in visual symbols and images
Ability to understand concepts such as first, middle, last left, right short, long, same, different, alike, match near, far cause, result

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Skills Acquired in the Block Area

Ability to balance a structure
Ability to consider shape, size, weight, amount of blocks
Ability to work on three dimensional configuration
Ability to extend imaginary play into cities, farms, construction sites
Ability to develop logical thinking
Ability to develop concepts - small/large, same/different,
Ability to develop the skill of classification, creating and naming
Ability to experiment with arrangement/design

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Skills Acquired in the Reading Center

Ability to reflect their feelings and express their thoughts

Ability to develop new vocabulary
Ability to memorize and recall
Ability to observe left to right (reading skill)
Ability to observe that letters make up sounds
Ability to sequence events
Ability to contribute to group discussions
Ability to balance a structure

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Skills Acquired in the Science Center

Ability to observe and document the natural world
Ability to observe push/pull and speed
Ability to observe objects that float/sink

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Skills Acquired in the Dramatic Play Center

Ability to replicate their world
Ability to dress - snapping, zipping, buttoning
Ability to build imagination
Ability to express feelings in a safe environment

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Skills Acquired in the Gym and Outdoor Area

Ability to build strength
Ability to build agility
Ability to run
Ability to hop
Ability to swing
Ability to jump
Ability to climb
Ability to balance

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Thematic Approach to Curriculum

Marblehead Children's Center uses a thematic approach to curriculum in center based classrooms. Monthly curriculum themes are the basis for stories, projects and discussions. Projects and activities are set up in the classroom and the children are free to choose from a variety of materials. Each child is encouraged to try new activities and experiment freely in a risk free environment.

A Sample Curriculum

Theme: The Ocean

LANGUAGE ARTS
Read In the Sand
By Elizabeth McKinnon

SOCIAL STUDIES
Discussion during circle time about ocean life. Use pictures of fish, whales, coral, plantlife, sea turtles etc. "What belongs" game. Put out multiple pictures and ask the children what belongs in the sea and what doesn't? Have local lobsterman come in for discussion. Local nautical chart reading.

MATH
Sorting and counting of sea shells.
Sort shells by color and size.

ART
<Small Smiling Sun> Water color fish for a class ocean mural.
Flounder fish prints.

SCIENCE
Ask the children to observe the texture, smell and color of sand. Fill jars with half water and half sand. Children will observe the motion of the sand in the water.

COOKING
Boil live lobsters for snack.

MUSIC/MOVEMENT
Walk like a crab.
Sing "Slippery Fish".
Listen to ocean sounds during rest.

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Current Research on Reading

Current research emphasizes the benefits of reading stories aloud. Time is allowed in each classroom, toddler thru school age, for the children to explore books and "read" on their own. Reading increases vocabulary and imagination. For reading suggestions please go to the MCC Recommeded Readings store.

Circle time is a time for stories, discussions, songs and other fun activities. All the children are strongly encouraged to participate in circle time. This group time offers community experiences as well as casual instruction on listening and speaking skills, taking turns and respect for peers' points of view.